Episode 52. Investment (4)
For the broadcast filming, the judging panel, including Kang Dae-oh, moved towards the studio one by one.
“Ah. Can you hear me well?”
Meanwhile, Kang Yeyoung was finishing up the sound check with the audio team.
Since separate seating was prepared for the judging panel, they headed towards a different route from Kang Yeyoung, who was in the center of the stage.
Oh Myung-woon took his seat first and looked down.
“It’s a bit higher than I thought?”
“Indeed.”
Kang Dae-oh swallowed dryly as he surveyed the entire studio.
There were about two facts he could discern from sitting in this seat.
Firstly, it was the same as what Oh Myung-woon had just mentioned.
And secondly.
In fact, this was the most impressive.
‘Looks like they spent a lot on production costs?’
Just by looking at the studio, he could immediately tell how much production cost had been mobilized. It was Kwak Jong-su PD, so he had expected this scale.
It was showing more than Kang Dae-oh had imagined.
Although Kang Dae-oh hadn’t appeared in many broadcasts before, this studio was so splendid, large, and meticulously decorated that it truly deserved the title ‘legendary’.
It showed how much effort Kwak Jong-su PD had put into this program.
‘I need to do well.’
Since Kwak PD’s intentions were palpable throughout the studio, Kang Dae-oh naturally resolved not to take the broadcast lightly.
Of course, even without these elements, he had intended to do so from the beginning.
Kwak Jong-su PD had entrusted this position to Kang Dae-oh. He didn’t want to perform half-heartedly just because appearing on broadcast wasn’t his main profession.
Whether it was his main job or not, Kang Dae-oh was the type to do his best in everything if someone entrusted him with work, even for their sake.
Kang Dae-oh began to review the script until the filming started.
Not long after.
The assistant director stepped onto the studio stage, holding a slate.
“Filming will begin. Two, three.”
Chak!
With the crisp sound of the slate, the cameras began to roll.
Soon, Kang Yeyoung, who was behind the stage, began to walk slowly towards the center of the stage, making a ddogak, ddogak, ddogak sound with her heels.
To dynamically direct her entrance scene, the camera director held the camera himself and began walking backward, following her path.
Thanks to this, a production comparable to typical music show angles unfolded.
Kang Yeyoung, holding the microphone, smiled brightly while making eye contact with the camera.
“In Future, a dream stage where you can unleash your creativity! Hello. I’m creator Kang Yeyoung, the host. Nice to meet you!”
To welcome her appearance, the judging panel cheered loudly.
Since the filming was done without an audience, it was necessary for the fixed panelists to actively respond to liven up the atmosphere.
And it was impossible to expect such a response from the staff behind the cameras.
It was a situation where the term ‘self-sufficiency’ fit perfectly.
Kang Yeyoung slowly bowed towards the judging panel with one hand on her chest, expressing her gratitude.
“Thank you so much for your enthusiastic response. Since we’re here, shall I introduce our judging panel as well? First, someone with a deep relationship with me? It might sound a bit strange if I say it like that. But what does it matter? It’s the truth.”
Loud laughter erupted from people’s mouths.
Everyone on set immediately knew who Kang Yeyoung was referring to with those expressions.
Kang Dae-oh himself picked up the microphone.
“Hello. I am Kang Dae-oh, CEO of Amare and also Kang Yeyoung’s biological father. Please take good care of me.”
The judging committee members looked at Kang Dae-oh with envious eyes as he emphasized that he was Kang Yeyoung’s father.
The thought, ‘I wish I had a beautiful and capable daughter like Kang Yeyoung,’ was fully contained in each of their gazes.
Kang Dae-oh gave an awkward smile towards their envious gazes.
Next, it was Oh Myung-woon’s turn.
“I am Oh Myung-woon, CEO of Five Star Hair Studio. My children are currently at home. Instead, I’m also playing the role of Dae-oh’s friend.”
The judging committee burst into loud laughter.
Occasional laughter also leaked from the mouths of the observing staff.
Upon hearing Oh Myung-woon’s humorous comment, Kwak Jong-su PD gave him a thumbs up.
‘Such a witty comment, exactly my taste.’
It was as if he was saying this.
Kang Dae-oh looked at Oh Myung-woon and thought to himself.
‘He hit a grand slam on his first at-bat.’
As expected. He realized that his decision to suggest Oh Myung-woon appear together was correct.
After the introduction of the judging committee members.
Finally, it was time to introduce the participants, which could be called the core segment of the program.
Kang Yeyoung looked back and forth at the cue sheet and explained how the program would proceed.
“Today, the participants are waiting in the waiting room, extremely nervous. A total of 10 people will form one group and stand side by side on stage. The time given to them is exactly 2 minutes. Within this time, they must present their startup item to the judging committee.”
2 minutes.
It was an extremely short amount of time to express everything they had prepared.
However, it couldn’t be too long either.
Because this was a broadcast, not a formal startup briefing session.
They needed to research promotion methods suitable for broadcast.
It was natural for the staff to prioritize the entertainment value of the broadcast over the success or failure of their startups. Therefore, the participants also had no major complaints.
They had applied, considering this from the start.
“After completing all explanations within 2 minutes, evaluation scores will be received by group and by individual. Only the two people with the highest scores can advance to the finals.”
Only two out of 10 people. This also meant that only 50 out of 250 people could step onto the main stage.
“Then, before we begin the full-scale evaluation. Shall we hear a word from each judging committee member about what they will focus on?”
This time too, Kang Dae-oh was the first to speak.
“I intend to focus on whether the startup item fits the trends of modern times. Creative and unique elements are important, but I believe these also need to align well with the current trends of the era we live in. Only then will many people seek them out. So, until the end of this program, I plan to primarily emphasize ‘harmony’.”
The other judging committee members also seemed to deeply empathize with Kang Dae-oh’s words, as they were seen nodding.
After all the judging committee members, like Kang Dae-oh, took turns explaining what points they would focus on, the first group finally took the stage.
Kang Dae-oh, who had been watching them, was surprised inwardly.
‘I see someone older than me.’
There’s no law stating that only young people must start businesses.
Especially in times like these, the proportion of middle-aged and older entrepreneurs who retire and dream of a second life is on the rise.
This was because after retiring from work, the situation was not suitable for them to find another job and live as salarymen.
Especially for those aged 60 and above, the re-employment success rate was bound to be dramatically low.
The only option they could choose was ultimately starting a business.
Among these, the proportion of self-employment is particularly high.
The applicant who participated in the first group this time was also a case that fell into this category.
“Ah, hello! I am Choi Bok-hyun, a, a father with two daughters!”
Perhaps because it was his first time on broadcast, he appeared quite nervous.
His tongue also got tangled several times in the middle.
Oh Myung-woon tilted his head while looking at Choi Bok-hyun, who kept swallowing sighs inwardly.
“Excuse me, but how old are you?”
“I am 68 years old this year.”
“You are at an age that can be considered elderly. Is there a reason you dream of starting a business?”
“I feel self-conscious about relying on my children financially. And I thought it would be difficult to live on just my pension, so I came out to boldly try starting a business this time.”
“I see…..”
Oh Myung-woon nodded several times and let out a slight utterance in between.
Only Kang Dae-oh knew this was his friend’s habit whenever he was flustered.
“Even if you start now, I think it will be physically very demanding. Will you be alright?”
“Even if I look like this, my heart is still youthful! Haha!”
His enthusiasm seemed as fervent as that of the other young participants.
In fact, age doesn’t matter much.
The most important thing is, of course, the startup item.
“Now, we will start with participant number 1. Participant number 1, could you please come forward?”
“Yes!”
Following Kang Yeyoung’s instruction, the participant stepped forward.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on him.
The 29-year-old young man swallowed dryly and said.
“I, I have brought a ca, cafe-related item.”
Since the first participant brought a cafe startup item, the judging committee’s gaze turned towards Kang Dae-oh.
Kang Yeyoung gave a meaningful smile and spoke to Kang Dae-oh.
“Since it’s a cafe item, all eyes are on CEO Kang Dae-oh.”
“I will give especially careful advice.”
The timer on the electronic display lit up.
The given time was only 2 minutes.
Within this, the man had to quickly explain what his startup item was.
The man moistened his parched lips with saliva and continued speaking.
“Th, these days, people seem to be very interested in roasting their own coffee. So… I thought, what if we offer a hands-on experience where they can make the coffee they’ll drink right on the spot? They do all the roasting themselves, and then the customer drinks that coffee directly. Since they made it themselves, the taste will probably feel deeper. Pe, personally, I think it’s a good item!”
Participant number 1 wore a proud expression, seemingly thinking it was a good idea himself.
After 2 minutes passed.
Kang Dae-oh raised the microphone.
“I’ve thought a lot about how best to put this. But since it’s related to starting a business, I’m thinking of changing my way of speaking to ensure the participant can clearly understand, rather than softening my words to be as gentle and less hurtful as possible. Would that be alright?”
Kang Dae-oh first asked for his understanding.
Participant number 1, still seemingly full of confidence, nodded and boldly exclaimed that it would be fine.
As soon as he received consent.
Kang Dae-oh’s expression completely changed.
The first words that came out of his mouth were these.
“It’s a zero. As a startup item, it has absolutely no appeal.”
At his sharp and harsh advice, Participant number 1 was left utterly dumbfounded.
